Grand Taihang Mountain Valley

Overview

Located close to the city of Anyang, Grand Taihang Valley is a 100 kilometer long and 2.5 kilometer wide canyon of extreme beauty. With a 1.000 meter difference in relative altitude, its lowest point is at 800 meters while the highest is at 1.739 meters.

Covered by lush greenery, it also holds grotesque peaks, hidden waterfalls, crystal green lakes and blooming valleys which altogether create a fascinating natural scenery that makes it one of the top ten valleys in China. Also called Natural Ecological Museum, because of its various stone formations from different eras, which can be clearly be spotted by the visitor, it has become a National Geological Park.

Things to do

The scenic spot of Grand Taihan Mountain Valley includes three valleys (Wuzhi, Longquan and Wangmang) and more than 10 different attractions. It is also known for three unusual natural spectacles. The first takes place in Peach Blossom Valley. As its name clearly states, hundreds of peach trees bloom in this valley in the middle of winter creating a fascinating blossom view. The second is known as mumbling pig. A special kind of rock makes noises, for no apparent reason, that resemble a sound made by pigs. The third spectacle is when water frizzes in Taiji Mountain.

Visitors interested in nature will have a chance to go hiking surrounded by astonishing flora, walk around ancient woods, take a close up look at older and newer peculiar stone formations, view imposing waterfalls, explore natural caves and discover hidden emerald lakes. Because of its great ecological value and the many different natural features, Grand Taihan Mountain Valley is also known as “Nature’s Gallery”. Although a visit to Grand Taihan Mountain Valley is mostly about natural beauty, visitors looking for a historical or folk touch will not be disappointed. Some sites inside the valley’s boundaries bear a long history and the nearby villages can offer a folk experience as well.

Black Dragon Pool, Peach Blossom Waterfall, Jinpu Dragon Cave, Eight Spring Valley, Nangu Cave, Primitive Forest in Tianhang Valley, Red Bean Valley, Xianxia Deep Pool and Secluded Valley and Wangxiang Rock are among the most popular spots in Grand Taihang Mountain Valley. Wangxiang Rock is the setting ground of various different legends and is believed to have been the home of many famous Chinese characters through the years.

Important personalities that are supposed to have lived on this rock include Prime Minister Fushuo of Shang Dynasty and Xusanli, who was Minister of War in Qing Dynasty. It is believed that Xusanli had built a villa on Wangxiang Rock where he spent the last years of his life. Another myth has it that a well-known Taoist cultivated himself on that very rock during Ming Dynasty. In addition Xiafu buried himself here according to legend. Finally, it is believed that the place was used for military purposes by Caopei in Three Kingdoms Era, Emperor Gaohuan of Northern Qin Dynasty and General Zuoliangyu during Ming Dynasty.

The area of Grand Taihan Mountain Valley scenic spot has been populated for hundreds of years, since Yin and Shang Dynasties, and local architecture is quite interesting since it perfectly blends in with the surrounding natural environment. Almost everything in the nearby villages is made out of local stone including streets, walls, yards and stairs. Therefore the buildings are almost invisible seen from a great distance.

Solo Adventure Tips:

Location:

West of Banshiyan County Square, Linzhou, Anyang, Huguan County, Henan Province.